Govt plans expansion of National Gastro-Liver Institute
He proposed incorporating the expansion into the “Establishment of 500-Bedded Medical College Hospital and Ancillary Building in Jashore, Cox’s Bazar, Pabna and Noakhali (Proposed 2nd Revision)” project.
The government plans to expand the National Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (NIGEH) in Dhaka by adding two floors and increasing its capacity to treat a growing number of liver and gastrointestinal patients.
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has asked Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury to expedite the expansion of the hospital's 11th and 12th floors.
In a letter sent on 25 August, the health minister said liver and gastroenterological diseases were rising and the hospital was also preparing to expand its liver transplantation programme.
He proposed incorporating the expansion into the "Establishment of 500-Bedded Medical College Hospital and Ancillary Building in Jashore, Cox's Bazar, Pabna and Noakhali (Proposed 2nd Revision)" project.
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The 250-bed hospital is already facing heavy patient pressure, with demand far exceeding its bed capacity, the minister said. Expanding its infrastructure and beds is therefore necessary to provide timely treatment and support the planned expansion of liver transplantation.
"If implemented, the initiative will make advanced and specialised treatment more accessible to a large number of gastroenterology and liver patients," he said. It would also support the government's pledge to expand healthcare and ensure quality treatment closer to people's homes.
Health State Minister MA Muhit told The Business Standard that the health budget would be used to expand specialised hospitals so they can accommodate more patients.
"Plans include expanding the National Gastro-Liver Hospital, constructing a new building and increasing beds at the National Institute of Ophthalmology, and introducing academic and research departments at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases," he said. "We also plan to expand patient services in existing buildings."
Patient pressure rises
Located in Dhaka's Mohakhali beside the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital, NIGEH operates from a 10-storey building on two acres of land. The 250-bed hospital was inaugurated on 31 October 2018 after construction began in October 2011 at a cost of about Tk216.26 crore.
Hospital sources said around 550-600 patients receive outpatient treatment every day, paying Tk10 for a ticket. The hospital treats gastric and ulcer-related conditions, liver diseases, hepatitis, fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, and gallbladder and pancreatic diseases, among other gastrointestinal disorders.
A senior associate professor at the institute, speaking on condition of anonymity, said cases of fatty liver disease, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal disorders were increasing. "Our hospital has become a trusted centre for liver and gastroenterology patients over the past five to six years, so the pressure is increasing every day," he said.
He said the expansion should include manpower and equipment as well as beds. "Additional manpower and necessary equipment alongside more beds would significantly benefit patients," he added.
